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MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2014
PAGE 10
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Foundation provides healthcare for musicians
DYLAN GUTHRIE
news@kansan.com
If you know a full-time musician whose name is not Kanye West, it's more likely than not that individual is making a huge — often monetary — sacrifice in order to pursue personal happiness and keep the community satisfied.
"Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything," Plato once said.
If what the ancient Greek philosopher said is anywhere close to the truth, then it stands to reason that humanity has a lot to be thankful for in regard to its musicians and groups like the Midwest Music Foundation (MMF), a non-profit organization in Kansas City, Mo., committed to supporting musicians and their music.
The MMF's helpful hand reaches across a wide range of areas, from providing healthcare to uninsured musicians, to sending bands to South by Southwest (SXSW) as a part of its Midcoast Takeover event, to offering discounts with recording studios.
Rhonda Lyne is a scientist by day and account executive for MMF by night.
"Our main mission is to promote Kansas City area musicians and [provide] emergency health care," Lyne said.
Since 2008, the Foundation has provided 11 health care grants totaling over $30,000.
Fortunately for Lawrence musicians, the Kansas City area extends to Lawrence and groups like Middle Twin, OILS and the Josh Berwanger Band who were all a part of the Midcoast Takeover — a showcase that featured
close to 60 bands from the midwest at SXSW 2014 in March.
"The Midcoast Takeover was by far our best show at SXSW" Demi Renault, Middle Twin vocalist, said. "The sound was so good and the crowd was awesome. It felt like everyone was really listening. It was also really nice to and see a bunch of people and bands we knew in all of the SXSW madness."
Classically-trained Renault graduated from the University in 2013 with a degree in vocal performance after studying under professor of voice John Stephens.
"Those Middle Twin kids are like an enchanting breath of fresh air," Afani
Her band, which she describes as "experimental pop," is accruing a collection of stellar reviews, including one by blogger Fally Afani of Lawrence's I Heart Local Music.
said. "In the midst of all the fantastic rock and roll in this town, they're bringing electronic music back."
MMF collaborated with Afani and I Heart Local Music to book some of the Lawrence bands at Midcoast Takeover.
Henderson passed away in August, but the Apocalypse Meow benefit show remains as a symbol of her resilience and continues its mission to connect local musicians to healthcare in the greater Kansas City area, espe-
The Midcoast Takeover, however, is just one of many events coordinated by the MMF. Another is Apocalypse Meow, a fundraiser that focuses specifically on Kansas City, Mo., and Lawrence bands. It was created in 2008 when Abigail Henderson, a Kansas City musician and co-founder of the MMF, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
cically in emergencies. All proceeds go to helping musicians acquire healthcare.
“Basically if any musician gets sick, or in some kind of accident, they fill out a real simple application, and we help them out with either a small doctor bill, or maybe rent...we've also been trying to sign people up with the Affordable Care Act,” Lyne said. “Just because you have some sort of accident doesn't mean you have to be in debt for the rest of your life.”
This year's Apocalypse Meow event will be held on November 2 at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City, Mo.
— Edited by Amelia Arvesen
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRESENTS
Kansas Classical REPERTORY THEATRE
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
July 12, 18, 26, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. July 19 & 20, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.
Rodgers & Hart's The Boys From Syracuse
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Lorenz Hart, Book by George Abbott Based on The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
July 11, 19, 25, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. July 13 & 26, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.
CRAFTON-PREYER THEATRE
General admission tickets are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982; Lied Center. 864-ARTS; and online at www.KUtheatre.com. Tickets are $20 for adults, $19 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for all students and children. Special Offer. See both shows for $30. All major credit cards are accepted. The University Theatre is partially funded by the KU Student Senate Activity Fee. Kansas Classical Repertory Theatre is sponsored by Truity Credit Union
TRUITY
CREDIT UNION
STUDENT SENATE
Don's Auto Center
HELPING KANSAS STUDENTS MAKE IT THROUGH SUMMER SINCE 1974
NO WORRIES!
Don't is here to save the day!
KU KANSAS
University Theatre
I'm having a mental breakdown because my car is brokedown!
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Stop by before leaving for summer trips and make sure your car is ready for the road!
Lawrence's local repair shop I 11th & Haskell | 841-4833
* KANSAS UNION LEVEL 2 * 1301 JAYHAWK BLVD. * LAWRENCE, KS 66045 * (785) 864-4640 *
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